Monday, February 25, 2008

Despite having a little vacation for President's week, it has been an exciting week for the chorus!! We got 2 differents sets of "thumbs up" for our performances of our covers of Crowded House's song "Private Universe" and Alpha's "Blue Autumn"! Here are their respective messages....

Neil Finn (lead singer of Crowded House):

"I wanted to send a note to say how delighted I was to hear and see the PS22 Choir performing my song."

"It's a fantastic arrangement and they look like they are having such a great time.Thank you so much for making my day."

Corin Dingley (of Alpha):

"We came across [your video of Blue Autumn] and are quite overwhelmed. Corin of Alpha is quite humbled by it. It was really lovely to watch."

"Yes it really touched me, the kids have sung it so well they must be really pleased with themselves. Really fantastic, by far the best 'remix' we have ever had.

CheersCorin"

This is indeed a testament to the amazing work the chorus has been doing over the years, and a great thrill for all involved! Big thanks to Neil and Corin for taking the time to recognize the kids and their dedication to their music! As Corin said, you kids should be really pleased with yourselves! Big congratulations to the chorus!!!!

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Recently, an unbelievable musician by the name of Barry Leitch contacted me, interested in recording a remix of Renaldo Lapuz and The PS22 Chorus singing "We're Brothers Forever", the soon-to-be hit song from this season's American Idol!! All together, the remixes we produced for Renaldo's song have scored over 30,000 hits!

The chorus got to see and hear the remix for the first time today, and needless to say, EVERYONE was blown away!! So here are the long awaited mp3s of Renaldo Lapuz's original song:

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol